Unlike young children teenage independence is commensurate with the responsibilities of active transportation and the High School commute maybe the proverbial low hanging fruit for effective active transportation to school efforts. Green Wheels has been collaborating with the Humboldt County Public Health Branch and the Kinesiology Department at Humboldt State University in a ten-month study with the help of funds from the Humboldt Community for Activity and Nutrition. The purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes and behaviors teens have about transportation to school and to understand the decision making process for school transportation. We studied three High Schools with distinct built environments (Eureka High School (EHS)-urban, McKinleyville High School (MHS)-suburban, Hoopa Valley High School (HHS)-rural), which dovetails with the recent expansion of the Safe Routes to School programs, which now include K-12. The results of this study provide insight into which programs and infrastructure improvements might work here in our Humboldt County Communities. As you can see from the graph below chauffeur culture is a significant barrier to getting our teens active. Click the graph to read the report.

Update on the 101
The 101 Eureka-Arcata Improvement Project is probably the largest transportation infrastructure investment planned for the Humboldt Bay region over the next decade.  The scale of this highway project, which includes a new highway interchange at Indianola Cutoff will influence the way we travel between and within Eureka and Arcata for decades and will affect the availability of funding for other street improvements.

Monday November 16,  6:00 - 7:30 p.m., Eureka at the Wharfinger Building
Tuesday November 17, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m., McKinleyville, Azalea Hall
Wednesday November 18, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m., Fortuna, Monday Club
This is an important opportunity for you to provide input on the Humboldt County Regional Trails Master Plan. HCAOG would like to hear from Green Wheels supporters like you. Show your support for connective trails that get you to your destination and provide a scenic and safe place to recreate. There will be maps that illustrate the existing and proposed trail network. Don't miss this opportunity. Have your friends and family join you.
You can travel by transit with the Arcata contingent.
If you cannot attend the first set of workshops, but would like to provide input, please email your comments to hcaog@pacbell.net.

Traffic Enforcement for Bicyclist Safety from Chicago Bicycle Program on Vimeo.

Many motorists don't know how to share the road with cyclists, maybe drivers education classes should include videos like this one. Nice work Chicago PD.

The Summer edition of the Community Wheel focuses on "Healthy Choices[:] Taking Steps Toward Active Transportation". Inside you'll find up-to-date news on the The Rail-With-Trail Alliance, a coalition that includes Green Wheels. This coalition has convinced the NCRA to agree to virtually every amendment the alliance suggested (p.4).

The feature article is an interview with the Humboldt County Public Health Officer, Dr. Ann Lindsay on how transportation choices and the built environment may affect public health (p.6).

Enjoy a PDF of the publication online and look for it in the North Coast Journal this coming week and throughout the season in some of your favorite stores.

Don't forget to join  us on July 9th for the Community Wheel Release Party from 5-9p.m. at Jambalaya in Arcata.

Los Bagels 25th Anniversary is a family friendly event with games and activities for kids and free valet bike parking. Sunday afternoon, April 5th at the Arcata Community Center from 4-10 pm. Tickets on sale now, dinner and dancing with Ponche! $15 for Adults $10 for kids 4-11 years old. This event benefits Green Wheels, Planned Parenthood and Humboldt Baykeeper. Call Green Wheels to purchase your tickets. 707-633-4488

Explore Eureka’s lesser known and friendlier roadways for a fun, social ride with Green Wheels!

This pedal pushing joy ride will end at Shipwreck in Old Town Eureka with wine and Music by Laser Bison.

Join the group coming from Arcata, Starting Point: the Plaza at 4:20p.m.